Continuous rolling-mill.



Patented Nov; 7, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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J. B. McKIBBIN.

CONTiNUOUS ROLLINGYMILL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1915.

Patented. Nov. 7, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. B. MCKIBBIN.

commuous ROLLING MILL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. I915.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

h/ M/ QM 1 @N w QH 5 necting journal couplings, in general axial KINITD %TATE% ATEN @FIQE.

JOHN B. MOKIBBIN, OF GRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0F THREE-EIGHTHS TO EDMONDS J. SUGDEN, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

CONTINUOUS ROLLINGTMILL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. a, rare.

rolls of each set being directly driven fromv a prime mover through continuously conalinement, and their co-acting rolls being arranged either above or below said rolls, providing sets of three-high and two-high rolls; means for introducing the blank through the pass between two of the first set of rolls, .and then backwardly through the same set; means for looping the blank through and around guiding mechanism at.

each side of each pass successively, whereby to provide for a continuous rolling operation, means providing for the turning movement of the blank laterally toward the next pass; vmeans for re-heating the blank in transit; and various other features of construction and operation, as shall be more fully hereinafter set forth. v

Referring to the drawings,-Figure 1 is a general plan view of the mill, portions being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a view of the several stands of rolls arranged in axial Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view, indicated by the line IV.IV. of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view, indicated by the line V.V. of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a collective detail view, showing the two sides of the annular spiral guiding mechanism in internaland external elevation respectively. Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional view through a portion of the annular spiral guiding mechanism. Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional view, indicated generally by the line VIII. VIII. of Fig. 2, showing one manner of mounting the roll journals.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a continuous-series of rolls 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in axial alinement, mounted in the usual housings 7 of well-known construction, connected by the usual coupling boxes and spindles 8, 9, and adapted to be driven through coupling 10 from an engine or suitable driving motor. By this arrangement I utilize dlrect driving power throughout eachof said several rolls, without the necessity of any intermediate gearing, thereby maintainlng the power at a maximum with the highest efii-ciency and economy.

The first and second-passes of the mill are provided between rolls 2, .2 and 2", the last two named rolls being mounted in the hous ing directly above roll 2, and the third and fourth passes, between rolls 3, 3 and 3", the last-two named rolls being mounted directly above roll 3 in the housing, as shown, such supplemental rolls being connected by the usual boxes and spindles 8, 9, and driven through a train of gearing 11, whereby to transmit motionin the desired direction, and with a positive application of power, from the endmost spindle of the main axially connected train 23456. Supplemental rolls 3 and 3 of the second stand are driven in the same way and direction, by intervening couplings, as will be readily understood. v

The third stand of rolls consists of a main roll 4, and an upper roll 4* idly mounted in the housing 7. The fourth stand consists of a main roll 5 and a lower roll 5 mounted in the same way below the main roll; and the fifth stand consists of the main roll 6, and an upper idlv mounted roll 6, the several rolls of each stand revolving in the direc tions indicated by the arrows. .By this arrangement, it will be seen that in the first and second stands I provide'three vertically arranged rolls, positively driven, the

rolls of each stand operating alternately in opposite directions, and capable of acting on the blank in both directions, forward and back, the outermost of said rolls 2 and 2 respectively beingcapable of adjustment with relation to the center roll 2 to accurately gage the pass in a manner well understood.

In the same manner the second stand of rolls, consisting of the main roll 3 and supplemental positively driven rolls 3 and 3", is capable of simultaneously rolling the blank in both directions, the blank thereafter passing through the single pass of the subsequent stands, to-wit, the third, fourth and fifth respectively, in alternating directions, the several idler rolls 4*, 5? and 6 being caused to rotate and reduce the blank by engagement therewith, and dependent on the driving action of the main rolls 4, 5 and 6.

As shown, the diameters of rolls 3, 4:, 5

and 6 successively increase over the diameter of roll 2, whereby to increase their peripheries, so as to successively increase the peripheral speed of the rolls and the speed of the blank correspondingly, in conformity with its reduction by the successive passes, and to take up the resulting increase in length of the blank, in conformity therewith. Thus, in practice, the diameter of roll 2 may be 12 inches; the diameter of roll 3, 13 inches; the diameter of roll 4:, 14 inches; the diameter of roll 5, 16 inches; and the diameter of roll 6, 18 inches. By this arrangement 1 provide a straight line of directly driven rolls, each running at the same R. P. M. but each having an increased peripheral speed successively throughout the series. The respective diameters of the rolls, however, may be, of course, varied or modifled to suit the conditions of use, power, speed of the mill, or other circumstances within the province of the designing engineer.

The first stand of rolls 2, 2, 2 is arranged with its passes in alinement with the discharge door of a furnace 12, from which the blank 13 passes outwardly over feed roll- .ers 14L positively driven by sprocket gearing 15 or other suitable mechanism, by which the blank is delivered to the first pass between main roll 2 and roll 2.

Beyond the first pass of rolls, I arrange the spiral repeating guide 16, hereinafter described in detail, by means of which the blank is passed one or more times around within an outer shell and over an inner drum, thereby being advanced spirally along and around said drum and within the shell, to a point where it emerges at the upper level in alinement with the second pass of the first stand of rolls, between rolls 2 and 2".

On the other side, beyond the first stand of rolls, and between it and the second stand, I provide guiding mechanism whereby the blank is twisted up edgewise by means of a gradually varying guide face on the inside of an abutment 17, which diverts the blank around into the path between vertically arranged slightly tipped idler rollers 18 at the inside and 19, 19, at the outside thereof, between which the blank passes in a vertical position. One of said rollers 19, 19, or both, may be so adjusted with relation to the roller 18 and the desired path of the blank, as to deflect it around and into engagement with the guiding ahm'zment 20 to lead it to the reverse pass. The blank tb' around in a reverse direction a abutment 20, simil to abutment a gradually "ar inner contaeti bfwhich the al a .sned over mosses wise and guided into the third pass between the main roll 3 and supplemental roll 3 of the second stand. Passing beyond said pass, it enters a second spiral repeating guide 16 similar to guide 16, the convolutions whereof may be less, owing to the increased width of the blank and its lateral spacing. The blank then passes backwardly through the fourth pass, between rolls 3 and 3 and into a third spiral repeating guide 16 which may be of increased length, whereby to advance the blank by several convolutions over to a position in alinement with the fifth pass, between rolls 4: and 4- of the third stand. Beyond such pass I now provide a re-heating or mufiie furnace 21, of well-known construction, provided with fuel supply pipes 22, through the interior of which furnace, open at each end, the blank passes and emerges from the other end, being thus reheated in transit. Beyond furnace 21, I provide a fourth spiral repeating guide 16, by which the blank is received at the upper level and spirally progressed around and along and delivered out therefrom at the lower level, in alinement with the longitudinal chamber of a second re-heating furnace 21 having similar fuel supply pipes 22 From said furnace the blank is introduced into the sixth pass, between rolls 5 and 5 of the fourth stand, beyond which it passes through a similar re-heatingfurnace 21 having fuel supply pipes 22 and beyond such furnace is a fifth spiral repeating guide 16 'of the same kind as before described. Said guide 16 receives the blank at the lower level, advances it, and delivers it at the higher level, in a plane approximating I that of the next roll pass. From such guide 16 the blank emerges in alin'ement with and passes through a fourth re-heating furnace 21 having fuel supply pipes 22, and into the seventh pass between rolls 6 and 6 which are the finishing rolls.

. it will be understood that the blank in its passage beyond the several passes is sup ported by any suitable means, as idler rolls 23 or plates 24, of-well-known construction. Also that, owing to the varying levels of the diiferent passes, the furnaces 21 and 21 may be on a higher level than furnaces 21 and 21, which may be on a relatively lower level, as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Referring now to the spiral repeating guides 16, 16* and 16 these consist, as shown in Fig. 6, of a two-part shell comprised of semi-cylindrical portions 25, 25 separably mounted to provide a continuous hollow drum, one of said sides, as 25, having on the entrance and exit side suitable inlet and outlet openings 25 and 25", as will be readily understood. A central winding 1m 26 is mounted in suitable supports 27 nd driven .by a belt and pulley 28 or other suitable means in the proper direction.

.of the guides 29 being tapered or beveled, as

indicated at 31, whereby to facilitate pas-.

sage of the end of the blank and prevent its sticking or binding at any point.

The construction of the several guides 16, 16 and 16 is generally similar, and that of 16 and 16 also, in respect of the main inner winding drum 26 and 26 respectively, except that said drum is hollow, as indicated at 32, and is provided with hollow ournals mounted in the supports 27 and 27 respectively. Through such hollow journals and the hollow center of each drum, I introduce a fuel supply pipe 33 having suitably spaced outlet apertures, by which gas may be 1ntroduced and burned within the drum for heating. In connection with the spiral repeating guides 16, 16 and 16", I also provide upper and lower supplemental rollers 34,

35, and in the case of guides 16 and 16 I 5 provide upper and lower supplemental rollers 34, 35, and 34, 35*, idly mounted in the supports 27 and 27 respectively, having hollow journals and each provided with a fuel supply pipe 36, of the same character and purpose as pipe 33. By this means the blank in its passage around and throughthe spiral repeating guides is efficiently re -heated, in addition to the re-heating by the muffie furnaces 21, 21, 21 and 21. The result is that the blank is maintained in good condition for rolling reduction throughout the several operations, and the continuous re-,

duction is therefore effected without any undue strain on the rolls, thereby reducing the driving power to a minimum.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by all those familiar with continuous rolling mill operations. It eliminates the necessity of any manual operation, requiring practically no attention beyond the maintenance of the parts in good operative condition.

The several reductions are effected successively andcontinuously throughout, the speed of operation may be accurately adjusted whereby to secure the best results with a view to the work in hand, and it enables the accomplishment of rolling and finishing the blank directly from a slab or 5 billet to any desired reduction as to finished shape and gage.

The blank -in transit, as it is reduced to the smaller gages, is maintained in a .ductile re ducible condition by the supplemental reheating treatments, which greatly add to the efficiency of the mill, while the directly driven main rolls apply the power to the mill to the best advantage.

It will be understood that the mill is well 5 adapted to the reduction of various sizes tions provided for, but is best adapted to the rolling of flats, squares or rounds. It greatly economizes the rolling of such shapes, while at the same time insuring uni formity as to gage and character of the metal.

The invention'may be variously changed or modified by the skilled mechanic or mill designer to suit the various contingencies of use, and I do not desire to be limited to the particular arrangement, number of stands of rolls, or other parts, or the specific arrangement or detail construction of the elements except as required by the scope of the allowed claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with two stands of rolls of a continuous train, a pair of curved spiral guideways extending beyond each set adapt ed to guide the blank from a horizontal toward a vertically edgewise position and vice versa, and a set of vertically arranged guiding rolls arranged between the outer terminals of said guideways whereby the blank is taken from one set of rolls, reversed as to its plane of moving position from horizontal to vertically edgewise and then from vertically edgewise to horizontal, and is then curved around and introduced into the adjacent stand. 1

2. In a rolling mill, the combination of a series of continuously driven axially '.connected main rolls, of a curved guiding track adapted to receive a blank horizontally from one stand of rolls and turn it on edge, vertically arranged guiding rollers, and a guiding track adapted to introduce the blank horizontally to another stand of rolls.

3. In a rolling mill, the combination with guideway adapted to direct the blank from a horizontal to a vertical position and to lead it from the first stand to said deflecting rollers, and a similar guideway adapted to direct the blank from a vertical to a horizontal position and tolead it from said deflecting rollers to the second stand.

4. In a rolling mill, the combination with a continuous longitudinally connected series of main rolls and co-acting companion rolls providing a plurality of stands of rolls, of an inner deflecting roller and outer deflecting rollers arranged beyond and between the normal path of blank travel of adjacent stands, a curved spiral guideway adapted to direct the blank from a horizontal to a vertical position and to lead it from the first stand to said deflecting rollers, and a similar guideway adapted to direct the blank from a vertical to a horizontal position and to lead it from said deflecting rollers to the second stand. I

5. I11 a rolling mill, the combination With a continuous longitudinally connected series of main rolls and co-acting companion rolls providing a plurality of stands of rolls, of

lid

vertically arranged slightly tipped deflecting rollers arranged beyond and between the normal path of blank travel of adjacent stands,a curved spiral guideway adapted to direct the blank from a horizontal to a vertical position and to lead it from the first stand to said deflecting rollers, and a similar guideway adapted to direct the blank from a vertical to a horizontal position and to lead it from said deflecting rollers to the second stand.

(3. In a rolling mill, the combination with a continuous longitudinally connected series of main rolls and co-acting companion rolls providing a plurality of stands of rolls, of vertically arranged slightly tipped idler rollers arranged beyond and between the normal path of blank travel of adjacent stands, a curved spiral guideway adapted to direct the blank from a horizontal to a vertical position and to lead it from the first stand to said idler rollers, and a similar guideway adapted to direct the blank from a vertical to a horizontal position and to lead it from said idler rollers to the second stand.

7. The combination with a series of axially connected directly driven rolls and similar co-acting companion rolls providing a plurality of stands of rolls, of means for introducing the blank to a pass of the first stand, a repeating guide adapted to return it to a pass of the same stand, guiding mechanism embodying deflecting rollers and curved spiral guideways adapted to guide the blank from said first stand to an adjacent stand, a repeating guide for returning it to a pass of said adjacent stand, and additional repeating guides arranged beyond and between the normal path of blank travel of subsequent stands of rolls adapted to receive the blank and to deliver it to the next it to a pass of said adjacent stand, additional repeating guides arranged beyond and bea tween the normal path of blank travel of subsequent stands of rolls adapted to receive the blank and to deliver it to the next pass, and means for heating the blank in transit through said repeating guides.

9. The combination with a series of axially connected directly driven rolls and similar co-acting companion rolls providing a plu rality of stands of rolls, of means for introducing the blank to a pass of the first stand, a repeating guide adapted to return it'to a pass of the same stand, guiding'mechanism embodying deflecting rollers and curved spiral guideways adapted to guide the blank from said first stand to an adjacent stand, a repeating guide for returning it to a pass of said adjacent stand, additional repeating guides arranged beyond and between the normal path of blank travel of subsequent stands of rolls adapted to receive the blank and to deliver it to the next pass, said repeating guides being provided with means for effecting internal fuel combustion therein for re-heating the blank in transit.

10. In combination with a plurality of stands of rolls of the class described, a repeating guide adapted to receive the blank from one pass and-to shift it laterally and deliver it to another pass, said guide having a centrally arranged hollow actuating roll provided With an interior fuel supply pipe.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses. JOHN B. MCKIBBIN. /Vitnesses C. M. CLARKE, W7. A. HECKMAN. 

